title: Abnormally low expression of connexin 37 and connexin 43 in subcutaneously transplanted cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the gap junction proteins connexin 37 (Cx37) and connexin 43 (Cx43) after subcutaneous transplantation of cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of gap junction genes was assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in transplanted cryopreserved ovarian tissue compared with that of normal ovarian tissue. Apoptosis of ovarian cells was evaluated by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated deoxyuridine triphosphates nick end-labeling method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After subcutaneous transplantation, Cx37 and Cx43 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in cryopreserved than in normal ovarian tissue. Apoptosis was increased in granulosa cells from antral follicles of the cryopreserved tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After cryopreservation and subcutaneous transplantation of ovarian tissue, proteins forming gap junctions between oocytes and granulosa cells are under-expressed compared with normal controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. lsh@ms1.mmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Robert Kuo-Kuang
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sheng-Hsiang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chung-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hsin-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Ying-Jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hung-I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein